Stability of Growth Factors in Autologous Serum Eyedrops After Long-Term Storage
Authors
Jose´ Santiago Lo´pez-Garcı´a, Isabel Garcı´a-Lozano, Luis Rivas, Nuria Ramı´rez, Maria T. Me´ndez and Rafaela Raposo
Institution
University of Madrid
Country
Spain
Year
2015
Journal
Current Eye Research
Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to assess the stability of the growth factors (GF) in autologous serum
eyedrops under different storage conditions.
Methods: The concentration of epidermal growth factor (EGF), transforming growth factor-b (TGF-b1), plateletderived
growth factor AB (PDGF-AB), and albumin was measured in fresh and defrosted samples of
autologous serum under different storage conditions. The fresh and defrosted samples were cooled at 4 C,
and they were studied immediately after preparation, or after defrosting, and after 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks.
The concentration of GF was also assessed after 1, 3, 6, and 9 months at 20 C. We also investigated how
the different storage conditions influence the biological effects of autologous serum on conjunctival and corneal
cell cultures.
Results: The concentration of EGF, TGF-b1, PDGF-AB, and albumin remained stable over the 4 weeks at 4 C,
both in fresh and in defrosted samples. Likewise, no statistically significant differences were found between
the GF concentration in fresh samples and after 1, 3, 6, and 9 months of freezing at 20 C. Moreover,
no differences were found on the cell proliferation and differentiation between cultured cells with fresh
or defrosted samples after 4 weeks at 4 C or after 1, 3, 6, or 9 months at 20 C.
Conclusions: Long-term storage of autologous serum eyedrops at 20 C does not affect the concentration of
GF, simplifies clinical logistics, and reduces the frequency of blood extractions from the patients.